Key Battles of the American Revolutionary War
What effects resulted from the key battles of the Revolutionary War?
Some events and battles of the American Revolutionary War were so significant that historians refer to them as key battles. The key battles were the turning points in the fighting of the American Revolution. It is important to know the chronological order and geographic location of each of these battles and events.
Battle of Lexington and Concord: April 19, 1775
Lexington and Concord are towns located outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired there. The British marched out of the city of Boston to capture suspected troublemakers (members of the Sons of Liberty on their way to the Continental Congress) at Lexington. Then, the British planned to destroy the military supplies that were stored by the colonists at Concord. However, Minutemen were ready when the British Redcoats arrived at Lexington. This event is sometimes referred to as the “shot heard round the world” because of the global impact of the American revolutionary ideals on other nations. As a result of this battle, the Second Continental Congress met and named George Washington the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.
Lexington and Concord are towns located outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired there. The British marched out of the city of Boston to capture suspected troublemakers (members of the Sons of Liberty on their way to the Continental Congress) at Lexington. Then, the British planned to destroy the military supplies that were stored by the colonists at Concord. However, Minutemen were ready when the British Redcoats arrived at Lexington. This event is sometimes referred to as the “shot heard round the world” because of the global impact of the American revolutionary ideals on other nations. As a result of this battle, the Second Continental Congress met and named George Washington the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.
Battle Bunker (Breed’s) Hill: June 16, 1775
The Battle of Bunker (Breed’s) Hill occurred in Charlestown, Massachusetts. This battle was significant because of what the American colonists’ learned. Although the untrained American troops were forced to surrender when they ran out of gunpowder, they caused many casualties on the British army – 226 British soldiers were killed and 828 were wounded. This battle showed that the American colonists were powerful as they were fighting from behind rocks and trees on the British troops. Back then, the American colonists called this type of fighting “Indian Style.” Today it is known as guerrilla warfare. The battle of Bunker Hill also showed that American colonists would need allies to supply ammunition. The British soon evacuated Boston and sailed to New York where they hoped to find American colonists who were still loyal to the King.
The Battle of Bunker (Breed’s) Hill occurred in Charlestown, Massachusetts. This battle was significant because of what the American colonists’ learned. Although the untrained American troops were forced to surrender when they ran out of gunpowder, they caused many casualties on the British army – 226 British soldiers were killed and 828 were wounded. This battle showed that the American colonists were powerful as they were fighting from behind rocks and trees on the British troops. Back then, the American colonists called this type of fighting “Indian Style.” Today it is known as guerrilla warfare. The battle of Bunker Hill also showed that American colonists would need allies to supply ammunition. The British soon evacuated Boston and sailed to New York where they hoped to find American colonists who were still loyal to the King.
Battle of Saratoga: October 7, 1777
The Battle of Saratoga occurred in New York. This battle is considered the turning point of the war for the American colonists (Patriots). American forces defeated the British in their attempt to split the colonies at the Hudson River. Because of this Patriot victory the French were willing to enter into an alliance with the Americans. This alliance provided aid from the French in the form of ships, soldiers, supplies, and financial assistance. In return, the French wanted opportunities to settle old rivalries with the British as well as benefit economically by continuing to trade with the new nation.
The Battle of Saratoga occurred in New York. This battle is considered the turning point of the war for the American colonists (Patriots). American forces defeated the British in their attempt to split the colonies at the Hudson River. Because of this Patriot victory the French were willing to enter into an alliance with the Americans. This alliance provided aid from the French in the form of ships, soldiers, supplies, and financial assistance. In return, the French wanted opportunities to settle old rivalries with the British as well as benefit economically by continuing to trade with the new nation.
Siege of Charleston: March 29, 1780
Soon after their defeat in New York, the British turned their attention to South Carolina where they hoped to find a large number of Loyalists – American colonists who were still loyal to the King. The first attempt by the British to capture Charleston was unsuccessful because of bad weather and the toughness of Fort Moultrie. However, the British were successful the second time around. The port of Charleston, South Carolina was under attack by the British for many days. The British attacked the port by blockading the harbor and cutting off supply lines to the American colonists. Eventually the Patriots fell to the British. Soon Patriot supporters were fighting the British and Loyalists troops using hit and run tactics.
Soon after their defeat in New York, the British turned their attention to South Carolina where they hoped to find a large number of Loyalists – American colonists who were still loyal to the King. The first attempt by the British to capture Charleston was unsuccessful because of bad weather and the toughness of Fort Moultrie. However, the British were successful the second time around. The port of Charleston, South Carolina was under attack by the British for many days. The British attacked the port by blockading the harbor and cutting off supply lines to the American colonists. Eventually the Patriots fell to the British. Soon Patriot supporters were fighting the British and Loyalists troops using hit and run tactics.
Battle of Cowpens: January 17, 1781
The battle of Cowpens occurred in upstate South Carolina. Cowpens was an important battle because showed the cooperation of the Continental Army and the supporting American forces. The supporters led the attack and then fled the field, tricking the British into thinking that the Americans were retreating. Instead the supporters lured the British forces into range of the American army. The British were badly defeated by the Americans. The British then left South Carolina and retreated northward toward Virginia.
The battle of Cowpens occurred in upstate South Carolina. Cowpens was an important battle because showed the cooperation of the Continental Army and the supporting American forces. The supporters led the attack and then fled the field, tricking the British into thinking that the Americans were retreating. Instead the supporters lured the British forces into range of the American army. The British were badly defeated by the Americans. The British then left South Carolina and retreated northward toward Virginia.
Battle of Yorktown: October 9, 1781
The battle of Yorktown occurred in on a peninsula in Virginia. This was the final battle of the war. The French navy helped General George Washington and his army by blockading the harbor. The blockade prevented British ships from entering the harbor. It also prevented the British army to escape the American troops on land. Surrounded by American and French forces on land and sea, the British were out-numbered, defeated and therefore surrendered. The Americans won the Revolutionary War and gained their independence from England. A peace treaty between American and England was finally agreed upon two years later. This was called the Peace of Paris (1783).
The battle of Yorktown occurred in on a peninsula in Virginia. This was the final battle of the war. The French navy helped General George Washington and his army by blockading the harbor. The blockade prevented British ships from entering the harbor. It also prevented the British army to escape the American troops on land. Surrounded by American and French forces on land and sea, the British were out-numbered, defeated and therefore surrendered. The Americans won the Revolutionary War and gained their independence from England. A peace treaty between American and England was finally agreed upon two years later. This was called the Peace of Paris (1783).
Documents
4-3.3_arw_key_battles_iet.pdf |
4-3.3_arw_key_battles_iet.doc |
Sources
Text: ed.sc.gov
Image 1: https://www.landofthebrave.info/images/lexington.jpg
Image 2: http://www.britishbattles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/8-battle-of-bunker-hill-1775-granger.jpg
Image 3: http://www.britishbattles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/won-battle-saratoga.jpg
Image 4: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Sullivans-island-1050x777.jpg
Image 5: http://www.britishbattles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Cowpens-SAVING-LIFE-OF-cOL-wILLIAM-wASHINGTON-William-Ranney.jpg
Image 6: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aZQSbpA34zY/maxresdefault.jpg
Image 7: http://resourcesforhistoryteachers.wikispaces.com/file/view/major%20battles.jpg/576367973/385x288 /major%20battles.jpg
Image 8: https://image.slidesharecdn.com/revwartimelineandmaps-160609134104/95/rev-war-timeline-and-maps-1-638.jpg?cb=1465479695
Text: ed.sc.gov
Image 1: https://www.landofthebrave.info/images/lexington.jpg
Image 2: http://www.britishbattles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/8-battle-of-bunker-hill-1775-granger.jpg
Image 3: http://www.britishbattles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/won-battle-saratoga.jpg
Image 4: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Sullivans-island-1050x777.jpg
Image 5: http://www.britishbattles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Cowpens-SAVING-LIFE-OF-cOL-wILLIAM-wASHINGTON-William-Ranney.jpg
Image 6: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aZQSbpA34zY/maxresdefault.jpg
Image 7: http://resourcesforhistoryteachers.wikispaces.com/file/view/major%20battles.jpg/576367973/385x288 /major%20battles.jpg
Image 8: https://image.slidesharecdn.com/revwartimelineandmaps-160609134104/95/rev-war-timeline-and-maps-1-638.jpg?cb=1465479695